Tonel Barus

Isolation and Identification of Iridoid from Water Extract of Leaves of Vitex pinnata Linn. as Antioxidant

Indonesia is rich with potential plants to be developed as drug materials. Research reported that more than 250 species of medicinal plants from 165 genus and 75 families have been used by Dayak Ransa tribe in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Almost 200 species of wood plants have been used by Dayak Kenyah tribe in Apo Kayan plateau, Indonesia, as medicines [1]. Aceh province also has many potential plants for drug materials. One of them is Halban/Laban (Vitex pinnata Linn. Syn. Vitex pubescens Vahl.). Local people of Aceh province knew this plant as ‘Oun Mane’ and it is used as medicine for its anticholesterol, fever and stomach ache properties [2]. Burkill [3] also reported that the barks of this plant can relieve stomach ache, while its leaves can be used as medicine for fever and wounds. Fruits of V. pinnata contain a flavan-type flavonoid compound in the isomeric mixture [4]. Products from plants are rich with bioactive compounds that act as antioxidant to reduce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by physiological process and many normal exogenic factors. Excessive ROS enhancement causes oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage by DNA, protein and lipid destruction [5]. The antioxidant in the body neutralizes free radicals. Therefore, foods rich in antioxidant are really needed by the body and the discovery of natural antioxidant from plant is continuously researched. Phenolic compound Isolation and Identification of Iridoid from Water Extract of Leaves of Vitex pinnata Linn. as Antioxidant